RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Corey Braun, the operator-owner of a Chick-fil-A near Foothill and Day Creek boulevards, provided dozens of free entree tickets to gay marriage supporters at a demonstration.

The fast-food chain came under fire from lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, groups last year after statements from the company's chief operating officer, Dan Cathy, voiced his opposition to same-sex marriage.

Braun said Cathy's statements don't coincide with the company's policy on service to its customers.

"There were a lot of things said over the past year," Braun said. "I wanted to show that Chick-fil-A doesn't discriminate against anybody. We serve everyone. We're happy to serve the community and this was an opportunity to have this group come in and show them our hospitality regardless of their beliefs, sexual orientation, or whatever. "

He added: "Chick-fil-A has never been about hate.

"I think things were taken out of context. The COO Dan Cathy was asked about his opinion on marriage and he just supports a biblical view of marriage."

The demonstration was held Monday evening at the northwest corner of Foothill and Day Creek near the Rancho Chick-fil-A.

Eden Anderson, a board member with the local LGBT rights group Equality Inland Empire, called Braun's appearance at the demonstration surreal.

Braun was able to convey his message to the crowd through a microphone and amplifier that was being used by speakers.

"The crowd was very accepting, of course," Anderson said. "We got quiet and we were listening, and with some skepticism. But really, what I experienced with the community, is when people are open and apologetic and accepting, it's touching to us. It feels like acceptance and we just want to be accepted and engaged in society, so when it's confirmed, I think the overall reaction was, yes, certainly that Chick-fil-A in Rancho Cucamonga is welcoming to us. "

Last year, hundreds lined up to eat at the Rancho Cucamonga Chick-fil-A and other local franchise locations on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. The day was in support of the restaurants after LGBT groups called for boycotts because of Cathy's statements.

Anderson said the LGBT community was surprised by the turnout last year "and how much it hurt. "

"A lot of them aren't just against marriage equality," Anderson said. "They believe gay people are a sin against nature and God and it felt like a display of disregard for our humanity. "

Braun has been the operator of the Rancho Cucamonga Chick-fil-A for five years and does not operate any other franchises.